Arthur slightly patted Llamrei to stop the mare's advance and silently analyzed the woman in front of him. The simple fact that she sneaked near him without triggering his senses said a lot about her abilities. Of course Arthur was ready to admit his previous bad mood could have make him drop his guard. Just a bit.
Who she was? Another Servant? She feels similar to one, a conceptual existence greater than mankind, but at the same time there were differences. Maybe, considering he was back in time, she was a member of the Fae Folk. Beside the Lady of the Lake he hadn't a lot of contacts with them, but he remembered they were very powerful beings: only fitting considering they were Elementals of the higher order.
'Earth.' The seeming random thought suddenly emerged from the back of his mind. From where that come from? Yet his instinct told him it was an important hint necessary to understand the truth of the matter. More importantly, did she just called him a 'God'? That was impossible: true he was a Heroic Spirit, one of the most powerful Ghost-Liners, but Divine Spirits were in whole different class, with unlimited power and absolute authority over the material world.
Yet as he thought that a part of him strangely disagree with him. Another part reminded him of his recent massive boost in power.
Deciding that further musing would bring him nowhere Arthur removed his hood and bowed, a closed fist put over his heart. "Greetings my lady." He said with a polite tone. Angering a Fairy never ended well. "In response to your query: yes, my righteousness is that great. No, it's more fitting to call it a fundamental part of myself and the ideals I hold dear. Even if, as a King, it was humiliating the alternative, not repaying with the just reward services rendered, would have been worse."
"Eeeh, really?" She looked very surprised. She started tapping a delicate finger on her beautiful lips. "This one doesn't understand. I can understand repaying the favor to another God, but why doing the same with humans? Isn't everything they have ours by right?"
Arthur slightly frowned. While he greatly disagreed with the last part, he was aware supernatural beings think differently compared to normal humans. It was just how they were. Trying to change it would be useless. But he could at least correct her misconceptions. "Be that as it may be, I am afraid you are mistaken my lady: I am not a God, merely a Heroic Spirit."
"Uh? Uh?" She blinked owlishly. "Heroic Spirit? What's that? Did you lost your memories?" She jumped off the branch and gently levitated down until her face was but mere centimeters away from his own. Arthur steeled himself at the scrutiny, while his horse scoffed and kept a wary gaze on her. "But I can feel great power from you, so that's not the case. This one is confused. You are a very strange member of [Steel]. What is thine name?"
[Steel]. From some reason that word resonated strongly within Arthur, like its sole sound was sufficient to describe a part of his own identity. It was unfamiliar and yet it didn't feel wrong. Something strange was definitely up with him. "The name bestowed upon me is Arthur. In the language of this land it's pronounced Artus. And yours, my lady?" He didn't added his family name of Pendragon. It was his father Uther who created it so it didn't exist yet. Using it was meaningless.
"Ah. Ah. I don't recognize either. So strange. But also interesting." She smiled mischievously and performed a spin midair with arms outstretched. Arthur more and more got the feeling she was more like a child than an adult woman. "This one is called the 'White Goddess' or [Heretical Goddess] by the people of this land. But in ancient time this Goddess was called Cybele of the Mountain. You can use this name if you like, but I don't dislike the other one either. Ufufu." She glamorously laughed.
'Cybele?' Arthur thought with not small amount of disbelief. From what he could recall of his knowledge as a Heroic Spirit Cybele was a Goddess worshipped in Asia Minor. If her claim was true, and he was really in the presence of a Goddess...furthermore, she used a strange term. "Heretical Goddess? What do you mean with it lady Cybele?"
Cybele stopped laughing and looked Arthur in the eyes with a serious expression. The change was so abrupt it was like staring at two different people. "You really don't know." It was not a question but a statement.
"Yes." Arthur admitted. "If it isn't too much trouble, can you explain it to me?" He requested with utmost politeness.
"Why not?" She clapped her hands and smiled. "It's been awhile since I last had a guest. Follow me."
Leaving the road Cybele led him deeper and deeper inside the forest, trees and plants shifting and moving apart to open a passage from them before closing again. Finally they arrived at a small cleaning fully separated from the outside world by thick thorn bushes the size of grown men.
With a gesture from Cybele plants grew and formed a makeshift table with chairs and even cups. She then conjured a teapot from nowhere. "Raspberry's juice?"
"It will be a pleasure." Arthur dismounted his horse and sat on the table.
"Usually Gods don't live on Earth." Cybele, back in her serious mode, began after they finished drinking. "All of us live in the Domain of Immortality, the ethereal realm that exists beyond the Netherworld. Humans worship us and give us power through the myths and stories they tell about us. With me so far?"
Arthur nodded. The terms were different but the system was more or less what he remembered.
"Mortals claim that for some gods the forms and nature of their myths become a burden, and they rebel against them. That they escape their myths and manifest on Earth, gaining a material body that allow them to exist until it's destroyed and they are send back to the Domain of Immortality. And such a God that escaped their myths and manifested on Earth mortals call a [Heretic God]." She scoffed. "There is much prejudice against it, most of it unfounded."
Aaand, this was absolutely not what he remembered. He would have know if such a thing happened in his time. The thought that this phenomenon ended before his birth was just wishful thinking: there would have been reports about it.
Something was wrong. Arthur even wondered if he was really in his own world and not some twisted alternate dimension. "What kind of prejudice?"
"Oh, that us Heretic ones became corrupted and dangerous, that we spend our time endangering humans." She shrugged. "I will not deny many do it, but they are mostly Steel Gods in search of a challenge. Look at me." She gestured with pride to the cleaning. "I am content to stay here, keeping the forest healthy and the animals prosperous. Sometimes I even gift farmers who worship me with abundant harvests. Would you call me dangerous?"
"Of course not." Arthur professed his agreement, not knowing that Cybele left out what she does with those that displease her.
Mainly, early winters and hungry giant lions. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
"You mentioned Steel Gods, and called me the same."
"Four main categories are used to describe a God's nature: Sky, Sea, Earth and Steel. Sky Gods have authority over the sky and atmospheric phenomenon; Sea Gods rule the oceans; Earth Gods like me are masters of the earth and the Underworld. Finally we have Steel: god of the military, god of might, god of war, god of battle. Gods born to fight belonged to the category known as Steel."
Arthur had to concede that such description fit him very well. "And you are sure I am one of them? That I am a God?"
"Without a single doubt." Cybele crossed her arms and nodded with confidence. "I wouldn't sense such power from you otherwise. Gods and Goddess that lose their memories lose also the vast majority of their powers. This is because the source of a god's strength is its ego and the knowledge it accumulated during its life. After all, even if our bodies are made of the myths themselves how can we use the powers granted from them if we don't even know they exist in the first place?"
"It makes sense." Arthur conceded. But Cybele's confirmation left in quite the predicament.
He was now certain this wasn't his original world. On one hand he was glad of it: he didn't risk to alter the future just by existing. In the past he searched for such an occasion from the Grail, but thanks to the events of the past two Wars he was now free of that selfish desire.
On the other hand...'Me? A Heretic God?' It was difficult to digest. He knew he was an Heroic Spirit and not a God. But that was how it was in his world. It was more than probable that the laws of this world were different.
So was he an anomaly? Was his soul changed upon arrival? Possible. Did it change what he was going to do? Not at all.
"I thank you for your hospitability and assistance lady Cybele." He stand up. "You gave me much to think. I would like to chat more but there is a duty that I need to perform."
"A duty?"
"Yes." He nodded grimly. "I heard the Governator of this land is sowing grief and misery with his tyrannical methods. I intend to make him face justice."
"Oh my." She giggled, an exquisite sound like a clear spring's morning. "As befitting [Steel]: you are already looking forward to challenge the local God-Slayer."
Arthur, who was ready to depart, froze. "God...Slayer?"
"My! Even that? Sit down, sit down." She beckoned him. "I already said Heretic Gods cannot return to the Domain of Immortality unless they die, yes? No? Well it is so. But not every God is killed in combat by another God: sometimes, against all odds, a human manage to slay a God on his own. When that happen the human will usurp part of the slain god's Authorities and be reborn as a god-slaying Devil King. They are beings that exceed humanity and the mortal foes of us Gods."
Yet another proof that this wasn't his own world. "I see. So the general Gracianus Municeps is a Devil King?" The title tasted bitter on his tongue. "From what I heard he is more a violent barbarian than a proper king."
Cybele shrugged. "They're Devils after all. From what I heard all the other living God-slayers are the same: a king of invading equestrian tribes, a mindless berserk...What do you expect from sinners guilty of deicide?"
Arthur didn't answer: instead he stand up again and walked toward Llamrei. "I thank you for your help lady Cybele. I hope we meet again in better circumstances."
"It was my pleasure entertaining such a handsome gentlemen." She giggled. "May the God bless you with victory."
"Worry not my lady." He reached out to Excalibur: just enough to feel the sword but not enough to draw it.
"My kingdom may be destroyed." His face hardened. "My friends and family may be dead." He looked up at the sky.
"But my ideals will never disappear. As long as I never forget Justice and Honor..."
"I, will never lose."
[*]
More than sixty reviews with only two chapters? If this isn't a sign from fate that I need to continue the story I don't know what it is.
To those wondering if I made the Governator an expy of Voban the following part was taken directly from the translated novel, a part describing the Campiones living when the original King of the End first appeared:
"Last of all, a certain [King] had turned the island of Britain into his own hunting grounds.
Whenever outsiders invaded the island, he would immediately intercept and defeat them. But he never slaughtered his enemies completely, thus allowing them to encroach again. Whenever internal rebellions occurred, he suppressed them immediately. But always, he permitted the mastermind to escape, thus sowing the seeds for new rebellions.
Well, that was basically how things repeated time and again.
The god-slaying [King] loved hunting more than anything, and his favorite prey were living humans. For the sake of this hobby, all he cared about was indulging in his pleasure of the hunt on the lands of Britain."
Don't you think this is a perfect description of Voban? So it was the author who first made an expy of one of his own characters. But rest assured: the two powers (wolves and undead) may seem similar but they are not the same. You will see an original fight.
sanddrake111: more of less. He is Arthur Pendragon, and his actions one day will give rise to the legend of "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table". Similar to canon but there will be differences.
roughstar333: she is the Goddess who will one day become Guinevere. The horse is a Noble Phantasm of his: it was blocked while he was in the Servant Saber's container but got unlocked after he became a Heretic God.
Xarserum: ^^. A little omake:
Shocked Godou: But, but you aren't a jerk!
Annoyed Arthur: Why is everyone always presuming that?
PCheshire: he can still die if his head is cut, his brain destroyed or his entire body disintegrated in one move, but you are pretty much right. He isn't invincible, but he needs to fit the role of "Strongest Steel" so of course he is very strong. So while defeating him is difficult it isn't impossible to do so.
Baughn: good question. The answer is that the power of the Second Magic can theoretically reach it, but it's very difficult to do so because, unlike other dimensions, there are protections around the Land of the Faeries to keep uninvited guests out. It would be a great feat in and on itself: even Zelretch would be hard pressed to do it.
Faraway-R: it's "as of current moment". If Arthur acquire a new legend of his own he will be linked to it and become like the other normal Gods, able to return even if killed.
Guest: to your first question: not outside of possible omakes. To the second: inspiration isn't back it.
Another protagonist has appeared! Shall we take a closer look?
The White Goddess (Future name: Gwenhwyfar/Guinevere)
General Description
Her true name is Cybele, the Mountain Goddess. At first she was an unnamed Goddess of the Earth and the Underworld worshipped in Anatolia until she was adopted as Phrygia's state deity and named Cybele; she was associated with mountains, hawks and lions.
Later her Phrygian cult was adopted and adapted by Greek colonists of Asia Minor and spread from there to mainland Greece and its more distant western colonies from around the 6th century b.C. In Greece she was partially assimilated to the Titan Gaia, her Minoan equivalent Rhea and the Goddess Demeter. In Rome Cybele was known as Magna Mater ("Great Mother"), a title to designate many different goddesses.
Despite her age Cybele exhibit a lot of childish antics and like to frolic around in search of things that interest her. But when needed she displays a keen mind and a supreme confidence in herself; coupled with unwavering determination even in the face of death those characteristic make her a formidable opponent.
While acknowledging "Cybele" to be her principal name she doesn't use it too much, preferring instead to use the titles bestowed upon her by humans: the more grandiose and flattening the better.
Physical Description
She appears as a young woman with brilliant blonde hair styled into curls, red eyes and pale skin. She wears a white toga of Greek design with golden sandals around her feet.
When transformed she takes the form of a white western dragon.
History
-Unnamed Anatolia Earth Mother Goddess
-Cybele
-Partially assimilated with Gaia/Rhea/Demeter
-Magna Mother
Authorities
[Flowing Life of the Earth]
Oh Earth, hears the plea of She who is your Mother. Share your strength so that mine enemies can be vanquished!
This Authority allows Cybele to forcibly absorb magical energy from the Earth and the life-force of other Earth Mother Goddesses to boast her powers.
[Mistress of the Animals]
Children of the Earth hear my call! Protect this Goddess, be her sword and shield.
Summons animals to do her bidding, especially lions and hawks. By spending more energy Cybele can also create Divine Beasts that can damage even Gods.
[Cycle of the Four Seasons]
In Spring life blooms. In Summer it releases its blessings. In Autumn it rots. And finally in Winter it dies so it can be reborn again.
This Authority allows Cybele to manipulate seasons and the concepts they represent. Only one season can be controlled at a time: changing it require a day of preparation.
-Spring: growth, renewal and new life (both plant and animal) being born.
-Summer: heat, sun, growing season and abundance, hard work for those working the land and rest for the others.
-Autumn: harvest, hunt, preparation and festivals, melancholy and introversion, rot and decay, tiredness and withdrawal.
-Winter: snow and ice, cold, death and solitude. It is also time of endurance and survival with any means possible, waiting, reflection and preparation for the upcoming growth season.
Other Abilities
Magic
Cybele is a great expert of Magic, raging from Witchcraft to ancient rituals that can summon even Gods. Her favourite field is Wind Magic.
Dragon Form
Cybele can transform into a powerful White Dragon: in this form she can use her wings to generate powerful Wind Magic without the need of incantations.